Returning Calls

In business, returning your calls is not optional. we are all busy people, it is virtually impossible to be available for every call that comes in. So at some point of time, a caller is going to get your voice mail. But will you return their call?

I receive 100+ emails and dozens of calls every day. I respond to every single email and message personally. You may think that is silly, but I feel it is the right thing to do. I put away an hour of my day to return my calls. Some people announce in their voice mail to specifically let callers know their calls will be returned during specific hours of the day.  Isn’t that wonderful?

Returning phone calls used to be a courtesy that was heavily ingrained in proper business etiquette. Sometime during the exponential growth of information to which we have all been exposed, returning phone calls has become the exception rather than the rule.

People that don’t call or email me back, get on my nerves. It’s disrespectful.  It says, “you are not important to me.”  My philosophy is that you should never be so self-absorbed that you stop caring about others.  If someone calls you, call them back.  Dude, if they are “asking” and you have nothing to offer, simply say “no”. That will work. Trust me!

The one thing to keep in mind is that there may be a legitimate reason for someone to not return my call.  Health or family issues come to mind.  When someone has a personal crisis, everything else is off the radar.  So before you go off the deep end, make sure there was not a legitimate reason for the lack of a return call.

Returning phone calls is an essential part of building strong relationships, which is the foundation for a successful business. Want to talk to me about it? Call me :-). You may have to leave a message, but you can be sure that I will call you back. So let it be written, so let it be done.

Tags: Advice, Customer service, Rant

Category: Business